Speculation as to why Kate Hudson got cast? Has somehow been pretty successful with romantic comedies so maybe she'd be more of a box-office draw in places where people are more likely to see Fool's Gold than Volver? (as if they deserve the potential orgasm in the making that is Nine...) Or maybe this is the breakthrough (of a different sort than Almost Famous) and it's more about talent than just signing a popular name.

Ursula always reminds me that I miss Divine. Which in turn reminds me that John Waters is making a CHRISTMAS MOVIE!!!! which should, by rights, be the best thing ever. (I'm doing my best to ignore his recent output, and the fact that Johnny Knoxville is in this one too).

It's fairly well established that Divine was the inspiration for Ursula's look - but is it just rumor that Divine was slated to provide the voice, as well, before his untimely death? Or was it always going to be Pat Carroll?